Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1887-03-03


When Grover Cleveland accepted
the Democratic nomination for the
Presidency in 1884, he expressed him.
self In favor Of one term for the in
cumbent OF that office. II has, there.
tore, been assumed by some of the
Presidents admirers that he will no,
accept the nomination next year which
his supporters are already laying plans
to obtain for him. 1t has been said
that when the right time comes Mr..
Cleveland will publicly declare that
he 10 unwilling, In the face Of his first
letter Of acceptance, to run again fol
the Presidency. This statement has
been received with many manifesto
tons of admiration on the part of those
people who look upon Mr.. Cleveland
as an oracle Of wisdom, but with good
natured incredulity on the part o.
those who ore familiar with the career
OF Presidents In the past and who
know how easily they yield TO the
dreams of anticipation.
II Is probable that there has never
been a single President, who, as he
saw his first term coming to close,
has not looked forward TO the posi-.
bilitIes of Q second. We doubt
whether any of those whose official
lives were limited TO single term
have not been disappointed at their
failure to obtain another. In fact,
there are very few Presidents who
have not organized movements OF
|cOuntenAnced the organization Of
movements for their reelection. The
late President Arthur was wounded to
the heart when the convention of 1884
passed him over for Blaine. General
Grant Lad not only second term, but
wanted third. Andrew johnson
schemed and intrigued to be the
Democratic candidate in 1868. Abra.
ham Lincoln did not hesitate to accep,
Ia second term. James Buchanan's
quarrel with his own party destroyed
his AMBITION to become his own sue.
ces' or; Franklin Pierce was anxious
for denomination. and Willard Fill.
more ran again for the Presidency be
fore the people four years after his irsl
term of Office had expired. James X
Polk would have liked to be his
own successor; John Tyler bargainet
in every way possible for a nomina
ton in 1874, going out of office de
spised by all parties; Martin VanBurer
obtained denomination, bu. wa
beaten at the polls; Andrew Jackson
forced the Democratic party TO give
him . second term; John Quincy
Adams was renominated and was beat
en- before the people; Monroe, Madiso:
and Jefferson all had second te ms
John Adams was &nxious for secont
term, although he was unable to OBJ
tain it, and Washington had a SECOND
term. In fact, 1t may be said that thu
only President serving full term who
has not organized his administration
tor a second term, or at least persuaded
his friends to look out for his interes
in that direction, was Rutherford b
Hayes, and his lack of effort for re
nomination was due not 90 much t
an absence of desire as q clear percep
ton of the utter futility of making al
attempt.
What reason is there then to belicv,
that Grover Cleveland will be fire.,
from the ambition which has over
come 80 many men far ADLER than him
self and at least equally worthy
If he sees in the course of the mex
few months fair opportunity of OBJ
tanning denomination, it is not likely
that he will permit it to pass by. II,
can easily be persuaded by flatterers
sycophants and Office holders to waiv,
aside, on the plea of devotion to hi
party or to the public interests, AM
scruples that he may entertain agains
breaking his pledge to serve only on
term. Nor is it difficult for a man Ii
his position to reason himself into
belief that it is his duty to endeavor +
remain in office and carry out what h
conceives to be the wholesome reform
he has introduced. 1t will not requir
any great ingenuity on his part to re
concile in a plausible way his ambition
with violation of his implied pledge
Besides, there is one force which will
be as operative upon him as II wa
upon John Tyler forty-five years ago
Mr.. Cleveland, like the treacherou
Wing, has young and ambitious
wife. She will incite his ambition
where every other incentive will fail
L